MTD 500 THRU 509, 11A-509B033 Owner’s Manual

OPERATOR'S MANUAL

22" Hi-Wheel

Rotary Mowers

Model Series

500 Thru 509

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

Warning: 11_isunit is equipped with an mlernal combustion engine and should not be used on or near anyunimproved forest-

covered, brush.covered or grass-covered tend unless the eng_e*s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable Ioc_d or slate laws (if any). if a spark attester is used, itshould be maintained in effective working order by the operator, In the State of California the above Is required by lew (Section 4442 el the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service deqadment, P.O, Box 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.

MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-10123A

(8/99)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content Page

Maintaining Safety ............................................................................................. 3

Slope Gauge ...................................................................................................... 6

Contents of Hardware Pack ............................................................................... 7

Assembling Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 8

Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................... 11

Operating Your Lawn Mower ............................................................................. 12

Making Adjustments .......................................................................................... 13

Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 14

Storing Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................. 16

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 17

Parts List............................................................................................................ 18

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

This Operator's Manual is an importantpart el your new lawn mower. Itwill helpyou assemble, prepare and

maintain the unitfor best performance. Please read and understand what itsays.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the modelplate on the equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. The information on the model plate isvery important ifyou need help from our Customer Support Department or

an authorized dealer.

You can locate the model number by lookingdown at the rear of the deck. A sample model plate is

explained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the

equipment in the space below.

I I I

(Model Number) (Serial Number)

MTD PRODUCTS INC

CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT

If you have difficultyassembling this productor have any questions regarding the controls, operationor maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.

Call 1- (330) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (800)-800-7310 to reach a Customer Support representative. Please have your unit's model number and serial number ready when you call. See previous section tolocate this information. You will beasked to enter the ssdel

number inorder to process your call.

SECTION1: MAINTAININGSAFETY

personal safety and/or property ofyourself and others, Read and follow all instructions in this manual

This Warning symbol pointsout important safety instructions which, if notfollowed, could endanger the

before attempting to operate your lawn mower• Failure to comply with these instructions may resultin

personal injury. When you see this symbol, heed its warning.

DANGER: Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in

this manual• As with any typeof power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwingobjects. Failure to observe the following safety inStructionscould result inserious injuryor death.

WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from thisproduct contains chemicals known to the State of

California tocause cancer, birthdefects or other reproductive harm.

General

• Only allow responsible individualstamiliar withthe

• Slow down before turning•Operatethe machine

Operation

Read, understand,and follow all instructionsinthe operator'smanual and on themachine before

starting.Keep thismanual ina safe placefor future and regular referenceand for orderingreplacement parts.

instructions to operatethe machine•Knowcontrols

and how to stopthe machinequickly•

Do notput handsorfeet undercuttingdeck or near

rotatingparts. Clear the area ofobjectssuchas rocks,toys,wire,

etc., whichcouldbe pickedup andthrownby the

blade. A smallobject may have been overlooked

and couldbe accidentallythrownbythe mower in

any directionandcause injur_toyouor a bystander.To help avoid a thrownobjectsinjury,

keep children,bystandersand helpersat least75

feet from the mower whileit isin operation.Always

wear safety glassesor safetygogglesduring operationor whileperformingan adjustmentor

repair,to protect eyes from foreignobjects.Stopthe

blade(s) when crossinggravel drives, walksor roads.

Be surethe area is clear oi other peoplebefore mowing•Stop machine ifanyone entersthearea.

Never carrypassengers. Disengageblade(s) before shiftinginto reverseand backingup. Alwayslook downand behind before andwhile backing.

Be aware ofthe mower andattachmentdischarge direction anddo not pointitat anyone•Do not operatethe mowerwithouteithertheentiregrass

catcher orthe chute guard in place.

smoothly,Avoid erraticoperationand excessive speed. Never leave a runningmachine unattended.Always

turnoff blade(s), place transmissioninneutral,set parkbrake,stop engine and remove key before

dismounting.

Turnoff blade(s)when notmowing.

Stop engineand wait until blade(s) comesto a completestopbefore (a) removinggrass catcheror

uncloggingchute,or Ib) makingany repairs,

adjustingorremoving any grassor debris.

Mowonly indaylightor goodartiticial light. Do notoperatethe machinewhileunderthe influenceofalcoholordrugs• Watchfortrafficwhen operating nearorcrossing

roadways.

Use extracare whenloading orunloadingthe machineinto atrailerortruck.This unitshouldnot

be driven up ordowna ramp ontoa trailerortruck underpower, becausethe unitcouldtipover, causing sedouspersonal injury.The unitmustbe

pushedmanually ona ramp toload orunload properly.

Never make a cuttingheightadjustmentwhile

engineis running ifthe operatormustdismountto doso.

Wear sturdy,rough-soledwork shoesandclose- fitting slacksand shirts.Do notwear loosefitting clothesorjewelry. They can be caughtinmoving

parts. Neveroperate a unitin barefeet, sandals,or sneakers.

Checkoverheadclearancecarefully before driving underpowerlines,wires,bridges or lowhanging

treebranches,before enteringorleaving buildings, orin any othersituationwherethe operatormaybe struckor pulledfrom the unit,whichcouldresultin

seriousinjury. Disengageall attachmentclutches,thoroughly depressthe brake pedal, and shiftinto neutral beforeattemptingto startengine•

Your mowerisdesignedto cut normal residential grassof a height no morethan 10".Do not attempt tomowthrough unusuallytall,dry grass(e.g.,

pasture)orpiles of dryleaves. Debrismay buildup onthe mowerdeck orcontactthe engineexhaust

presentinga potentialfire hazard.

SlopeOperation

Slopes are a majorfactor relatedtolossof control and tip-overaccidents which can resultinsevere

injuryor death. Allslopes requireextra caution.If

youcannotbeckupaslopeorfeel uneasyonit, do

notmow it.

Foryour safety,use the slope gauge includedas

part ofthismanualtomeasure slopesbefore

operatingthisunit ona sloped or hillyarea, If the slopeisgrealer than 15° as shownon the slope gauge,do not operatethisuniton thatarea or seriousinjurycouldresult.

Mow upand downslopes, notacross. Remove obstaclessuchas rocks,limbs,etc. Watch forholes, rutsorbumps.Uneven terrain

couldoverturnthe machine.Tall grasscan hide obstacles.

Use slowspeed. Choosea low enoughgear so that

you willnot have to stopor shiftwhileonthe slope. Alwayskeep machinein gear when goingdown slopes to take advantageof enginebrakingaction.

Followthe manufacturer's recommendations for wheelweightsor counterweightsto improve

stability.

Use extra care withgrasscatchersor other attachments.These can change thestabilityofthe

machine, Keep allmovement on the slopes slowand gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.

Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidlyflip over backwards whichcould cause sedous injury.

Avoid startingor stopping on a slope. Iftires lose traction,disengage the blede(s) and proceedslowly

straightdown the slope.

DoNot:

Do notturnonslopes unlessnecessary;then, rum

slowlyand graduallydownhill,ifpossible.

Do not mow near drop-offs,ditchesor embankments.The mowercould suddenlyturnover ifa wheel is overthe edge of a clifforditch,or if an

edge caves in. Do not mow onwet grass. Reducedtractioncould

cause sliding. Do not trytostabilizethe machine byputtingyour

foot on the ground.

Do notuse grass catcher on steepslopes.

Children

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence ofchildren. Children are often attracted to

the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume

thatchildren will remain where you last saw them.

Keep childrenout of the mowingarea and in

watchfulcare ofan adultotherthan the operator.

Be alertand turn machine off if childrenenter the

area.

• Before and when backing, look behindand down for smallchildren.

Never carry children,even withthe blades off.They may fall off and be seriouslyinjured or interferewith

the safe machineoperation. Never allowchildren under 14years oldtooperate

the machine.Children 14 yearsand overshould onlyoperate machine under closeparental

supervisionand properinstruction,

Useextra care when approachingblindcomers,

shrubs,treesor otherobjects that may obscureyour visionofa childor otherhazard,

Remove keywhen machineis unattendedto preventunauthorizedoperation.

Service

Useextreme care in handlinggasolineand other

fuels. They are extremelyflammable and the vapors

areexplosive. Useonlyan approvedcontainer.

Never remove fuel cap or add fuel withtheengine

running, Allow enginetocoolat leasttwo minutes before refueling. Replacefuel cap securelyand wipeoffany spilled fuel beforestarling the engineas rtmay cause a fire

orexplosion.

Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars, pipes andother

sources ofignition.

Neverrefuelthe machineindoorsbecause fuel

vaporswillaccumulateinthe area.

Neverstorethe fuel containerormachine inside where thereis an open flame or spark, suchas a gas hotwater heater,space heater orfurnace.

Never runa machineinsidea closedarea.

Toreducefire hazard, keep the machinefree of grass,leaves or otherdebris build-up.Clean up oil

or fuel spiJlage.Allowmachine tocoolat least 5

minutesbatore storing.

Beforecleaning, repeiringor inspecting,make

certaintheblade and all movingparts have

stopped. Disconnect the sparkplug wire, andkeep

the wtreaway from the spark plugto prevent

accidental starting.

Ghec_the blade and enginemountingboltsat

frequent inter_alsfor propertightness.A_so,visually

inspectblade for damage (e.g., excessivewear,

bent,cracked). Replacewithblade whichmeets

originalequipmentspecifications.

Keepallnuts,boltsand screwstightto be sore the

equipmentis insafe workingcondition.

Never tamperwithsafetydevices.Check their

properoperation regularly, Use all guardsas

instructedinthis manual. Afterstriking a foreignobject,stopthe engine,

remove the wire from the spark plugand thoroughly inspectthe mowerlot any damage. Repair the damage before restartingandoperatingthe mower,

Grasscatcher components are subjectto wear, damage and deterioration,whichcould expose

movingpartsor allowobjectstobe thrown.Foryour safety protection,frequently checkcomponentsand

replacewithmanufacturer'srecommendedparts whennecessary.

Mower blades are sharpand can cut.Wrap the blade(s)orwear gloves and use extra cautionwhen

servicingbtade(s),

Checkbrake operationfrequently.Adjustand serviceas required.

Muffler,engine and belt guardsbecomehotduring

operationand can cause a burn. Allowto cooldown

beforetouching. Do notchange the enginegovernorsettingsor overspeedthe engine. Excessiveenginespeeds are dangerous. Observe properdisposal lawsand regulations. Improper disposalotfluids and materials can harm

the environmentand the ecology.

YourResponsibility

Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and follow the warnings and instructionsin this manual and on the machine. Some of the safety labels on the equipment are

reproduced below. Take a moment to studythese labels before operating the unit. Always maintain safety while operating or servicingthe equipment.

Prior to disposal, determinethe propermethodto disposeofwaste fromyourlocal Environmental

ProtectionAgency. Recyclingcenters are

establishedto properlydisposeof matedals inan environmentallysafe fashion.

Useproper containerswhen drainingfluids.Do not

usefood or beverage containersthatmay misdeed someone intoqdnking from them. Propertydispose

ofthe containersimmediatelyfoliowiogthedraining offluids.

DO NOT pour oilor otherfluids intothe ground, downa drainor intoa stream, pond,lake orother

bodyofwater. Observe EnvironmentalPmtection Agencyregulationswhen disposingofoil,fuel, coolant,brake fluid, filters,batteries,tiresand other harmfulwaste,

DANQER

WARNING

Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could

ovedum and cause sedous injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in sedous injury.

Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes. Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.

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